The AFP photographer who captured Usain Bolt crossing the finish line at the World Athletics Championships 100m final in Moscow on Sunday as lightning struck in the background has played down his achievement.

The photo was taken with the final remote control camera out of five set up on the edge of the track, AFP has revealed.

Photographer Olivier Morin was hoping to get a shot of the winner coming through, arms in the air, with the stadium as the background. But when Bolt won the race, he crossed the finish line with no visible display of emotion.